Chapter 003
It was not the sunlight filtering through the window and dazzling his eyes, nor was it hunger, that woke Ivan—contrary to his usual routine.
Instead, it was the sound of light thudding and a savory, delicious aroma.
He sat up sluggishly and began to stare around his home in daze.
The trash that had been scattered everywhere had vanished, revealing the old wooden floor.
It shone with a strange luster, as if it had been wiped and oiled.
“Are you awake, Ivan?”
The moment his eyes fell upon the woman, who smiled at him with a face that looked exhausted, his brows knit together.
She was standing before the fire, holding a wooden ladle.
“I’ve prepared some food. If you’re tired, would you like to sleep a little more?”
“What is this?”
He had undoubtedly fallen asleep in the corner of the floor, so why was he now lying on his mother’s bed?
And why was this woman still here?
Why did she clean the house?
And why was she lighting a fire and cooking in a house that wasn’t hers?
A flood of annoyance and bewilderment rushed in since morning.
“Yes?”
“Why did you clean the house? And why are you cooking?”
“Didn’t I say? Your mom will try to do her best.”
He was about to ask her why she hadn’t left yet, but she preceded his words with a smile.
“What?”
“I’ll go to the market in the evening and prepare something delicious for you. There is nothing in the house fit for Ivan to eat.”
She spoke as if she were the owner of the house, intending to stay until evening,
And repeated incomprehensible phrases about being a ‘mom who will try.’
Ivan’s face twisted with intense displeasure.
Then he remembered—he had heard something similar in the carriage yesterday.
‘Ivan, your mom will try to do her best.’
It couldn’t be…
“Ivan?”
“……”
“…Are you angry at Mom?”
He began to examine her slowly.
“What’s the matter?”
Suddenly, the face of that madwoman in the neighboring district flickered through his mind.
The one who lived near the river, in a house with a green roof,
And people said she was deranged.
She used to wander around carrying flowers, laughing to herself, claiming she was a princess and would marry a prince soon.
Everyone said her madness had made her forget even who she was.
Ivan opened his mouth cautiously.
“Mom?”
“Yes? Why are you upset?”
She approached him, smiling.
…Good grief. To think the woman he had clung to was a madwoman.
The corner of his mouth trembled.
She didn’t seem like it…
The adults always warned the children against approaching that madwoman.
Ivan thought seriously. Should he scream and kick her out?
“Ivan.”
“Yes?”
“If you’re sleepy, sleep a little more.”
He looked at the clean house once again.
The foul odor had vanished, and the filth was gone.
The air was cold because of the open windows, but it was refreshing.
Even this house could become clean like this.
“No, I want to eat.”
Perhaps, when his mother returned, she would like this house.
And maybe she wouldn’t leave anymore.
As for this woman…
He could go along with her until his mother returned, then kick her out.
They said associating with the mad was dangerous, but she didn’t seem dangerous, and above all, she had money.
If she was going to clean and cook, there was no need to drive her away now.
At least until his mother returned.
“What do you want to eat this evening? I’m going to the market today.”
She asked him, while he sat on the chair she had pulled out for him.
“What do I want?”
“Yes. We’ll eat whatever you crave.”
He began to stir the lukewarm porridge before him, thinking.
It was cooked from wheat and barley.
“Do you have a lot of money?”
He remembered the coin pouch and asked.
“How much do you have?”
Where did she put it?
“Not much, but we’ll have whatever you want for dinner. What do you think about meat?”
“Fine.”
He ate a few mouthfuls, then suddenly stood up.
“I won’t eat this. I’ll wait for the meat.”
“Won’t you be hungry?”
“It’s okay.”
He wasn’t hungry after eating three loaves yesterday.
Besides, it was better to leave room for the meat.
“Mom, you’re going to buy a lot of meat, right?”
She nodded, looked at the bowl he had pushed away, and then ate it herself.
He watched her for a moment, then went back and lay down on the floor.
“Ivan, why don’t you sleep on the bed?”
“…I like this spot.”
A few moments later, he heard footsteps approaching, then a blanket was thrown over him.
With busy movement around him, he closed his eyes again.
* * *
“Ivan, is your mom back?”
“What?”
He tilted his head while playing, kicking stones.
“My grandmother said you came back with her at dawn.”
What business was it of theirs?
They didn’t even know where his mother had gone.
“She failed to seduce another man, didn’t she?”
“…What?”
“My grandmother says your mother has nothing but her face, and she won’t find anyone to give her money no matter how hard she tries.”
“Tell her to mind her own business! Your grandmother has lost her mind!”
He almost hit him, but held back.
“Why are you shouting? Did I say something wrong? Your mother—”
“I told you to mind your own business!”
He pushed him hard, and Hank fell to the ground.
“You pushed me?!”
Ivan frowned.
He would go crying to complain.
“Hank, don’t cry again. If you do, we won’t play with you.”
Inn said, approaching.
“Please, don’t make Ivan angry.”
“But…”
“Ivan, don’t be angry. I brought you some candy.”
He took it, thanking her.
Then he looked at Hank, who was crying silently.
He sighed, helped him up, then gave him the candy.
He didn’t like seeing this scene.
“Bring me some tomorrow too.”
“When will you come?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come early, let’s go to the forest.”
He nodded and looked at the reddening sky.
The voices of mothers were calling their children.
And he felt something strange.
Was that woman still in the house?
Or had she left?
He ran through the alleys.
Then he stopped suddenly.
…Why was he running?
“If she left, then so be it.”
He scoffed, then resumed running.
Because he remembered her promise.
The meat.
Yes…
All that had occupied his mind all day was the meat.
